KTÖS: Turkish Cypriot Community Pays Heavy Price for Stalemate

In a statement, KTÖS highlighted that over the past five years, the Turkish Cypriot community has borne the heaviest cost of the ongoing stalemate. Since the collapse of the negotiation tables, neither northern nor southern policies have served the public interest.

The union criticized President Ersin Tatar’s “sovereign equality” stance for isolating Turkish Cypriots internationally and departing from the principles of international law, while accusing the Hristodulidis government of taking steps that amount to collective punishment of the community. Arbitrary delays at crossing points, denial of citizenship to children of mixed marriages, restricted access to health and social services, the marginalization of Turkish as an official language in public services, and the politicization of property disputes have increasingly burdened the daily lives of Turkish Cypriots.

In the north, KTÖS pointed to embassy interventions, growing corruption and money laundering in public administration, unfair resource distribution, and social injustice, noting that international reports highlighting “very high corruption risks” are no coincidence. The intertwining of politics with vested interests is accelerating youth migration and eroding public confidence.

KTÖS stressed that the Turkish Cypriot community must no longer be sacrificed to the agendas of either side. Its future cannot be shaped by isolationist policies or collective punishment. The path forward lies in resolution, a culture of peace, and a shared future between the two communities.

The statement concluded that the upcoming presidential elections represent a historic turning point: the Turkish Cypriot community must choose either isolation and punishment or assert its will for peace, resolution, and freedom. KTÖS reaffirmed its commitment to support peace, solutions, and the community’s agency.